David Cook and Grammy Award-winning musician Scott Weiland are set to perform at The Mirage in Las Vegas on "New Year's Eve Live," airing Wednesday, Dec. 31 (11 ET/PT) on FOX. This year, "New Year's Eve Live" goes coast-to-coast with hosts Spike Feresten of "Talkshow With Spike Feresten" and Mark Thompson of "Hole In The Wall" when they report live from the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip. Spike and Mark will count down to 2009 with celebrity guests and performances by some of the year’s hottest musical artists. As 2008 comes to a close, the annual celebration will move to New York City to ring in the new year as the world-famous New Year’s Eve Ball makes its descent into Times Square.  Interestingly enough, shortly after midnight, world-renowned daredevil Robbie Knievel will attempt a death-defying 200-foot jump over the recently renovated Mirage Volcano. It's quite appropriate that David will be helping his fans ring in the New Year, as 2008 has been very good to him.  One week after being declared the winner of American Idol Season Seven with a record-breaking 56 percent of the nearly 100 million votes cast, David rewrote chart history when 11 of his songs debuted on Billboard’s Hot 100—the highest number of new entries in a single week by an artist since The Beatles in 1964. His self-titled major-label debut entered the Billboard charts at No. 3, and is currently the No. 1 album on the digital album chart. It should also come as no surprise that producers asked David to be the first Idol in the history of the show to help promote the upcoming season--watch the new, extended version of the promo now!

(AP) - In this April 14, 2008 file photo, 'American Idol' judge Paula Abdul arrives at the 2008 CMT Awards, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file)

(AP) - In this Jan. 10, 2008, file photo, Clay Aiken is shown in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, file)

If you're a fan of the holiday season (Who isnt!?) and love American Idol, you must be thrilled with all the AI alums getting in on the Christmas fun this year.  Here are a few updates: Season two's Josh Gracin and season six's Phil Stacey are teaming up for an event called "Go Country" for 105 FM in L.A.'s Santa Clarita Valley.  It's an Acoustic Holiday Concert, and will feature some of their songs as well as some holiday classics.  Go here for more info on the festive event.  Ramiele Malubay has released an R & B holiday song called "We Are One (This Christmas)".  You can hear it on Ramiele's web site, and purchase it here.  Jason Castro is getting the opportunity of a lifetime by partaking in "An American Christmas" concert with Grammy Award-Winning artist Patti La Belle at the Special Events Center Arena in Garland, Texas.  More info can be found on the event center's web site.  Happy Holidays!

While most would consider season seven winner David Cook to be a tried and true rocker, his staying power on the Adult Contemporary chart cannot be denied.  In fact, his reign on the AC chart with "The Time of My Life" has gone into double digits, making him one of 15 solo male artists to do so for 10 weeks or more since the chart began in 1961.  David is in great company, as some of these impressive artists are Billy Joel ("The River Of Dreams," 1993), Eric Clapton ("Change The World," 1996), John Mayer ("Waiting On The World To Change," 2007), and Elton John (Something About The Way You Look Tonight," 1997).  David is the only male artist to have a song advance to #1 on this chart in 2008.  The last song by a solo male artist to do so was Josh Groban's "I'll Be Home for Christmas," which began a three-week reign the week of Dec. 22, 2007.  "The Time of My Life" is a bonus track on David's debut album, which entered The Billboard 200 at #3, just one week after David Archuleta bowed at #2 with his first album.  The CD debuted at #1 on Top Digital Albums, giving American Idol its 210th #1 on a Billboard chart. For the first time in American Idol's history, a former Idol is being used to promote the new season.  Go to our video section to watch the brand new promo, featuring David Cook!

Whether it's season five, six, or seven, exciting things are happening for some of our AI alums.  On the heels of a huge win at the AMA's, Chris Daughtry will performing at one of the historical 44th Inaugural Balls to be held for President-Elect Obama on January 21, 2009. See the many looks of Chris Daughtry in his Transformation Gallery. Season six finalist Melinda Doolittle will join Michael W. Smith for the 2008 "It's a Wonderful Christmas" Tour.  The tour started Dec. 2 in Dallas, TX, and ends Dec. 19 in Peoria, AZ.  Check out Melinda Doolittle's Transformation Gallery! The season seven contestant who became known as the "Rock N' Roll nurse," Amanda Overmyer, is set to release her limited edition debut CD, Solidify, at the end of this month, or early January.  Fans can purchase the album via her web site or possibly iTunes.        

(AP) - This undated photo provided by HSM shows the Opposites Attract Clutch from the Forever Your Girl line by Paula Abdul. They might not go home with a recording contract, but Paula Abdul doesn't let any 'American Idol' contestant leave empty-handed. Each season she designs and distributes jewelry for the aspiring singers as a keepsake of their experience. Beginning this month, Abdul's fans will be able to buy similar mementos from HSN. (AP Photo/HSN)

(AP) - This undated photo provided by HSM shows the Shining Star Bracelet from the Forever Your Girl line by Paula Abdul. They might not go home with a recording contract, but Paula Abdul doesn't let any 'American Idol' contestant leave empty-handed. Each season she designs and distributes jewelry for the aspiring singers as a keepsake of their experience. Beginning this month, Abdul's fans will be able to buy similar mementos from HSN. (AP Photo/HSN)

(AP) - This undated photo provided by HSM shows the Heirloom Bling Cuff from the Forever Your Girl line by Paula Abdul. They might not go home with a recording contract, but Paula Abdul doesn't let any 'American Idol' contestant leave empty-handed. Each season she designs and distributes jewelry for the aspiring singers as a keepsake of their experience. Beginning this month, Abdul's fans will be able to buy similar mementos from HSN. (AP Photo/HSN)

(AP) - This undated photo provided by HSM shows the Heirloom Bling Earrings from the Forever Your Girl line by Paula Abdul. They might not go home with a recording contract, but Paula Abdul doesn't let any 'American Idol' contestant leave empty-handed. Each season she designs and distributes jewelry for the aspiring singers as a keepsake of their experience. Beginning this month, Abdul's fans will be able to buy similar mementos from HSN. (AP Photo/HSN)